Admission Policies for GSEAP

Required Background for Admission

Applicants for the Master of Arts degree must hold an earned Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and must give promise of meeting the standards set by the School. A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.67 is strongly recommended.

Applicants for the Certificate of Advanced Study must hold an earned Master's degree from an accredited college or university, completed with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

In compliance with Connecticut state law effective July 1, 2010, applicants whose programs of study will require participation in school-based field experiences (i.e., observations, practica, student teaching, internships, etc.) must undergo State and National criminal history background checks before beginning their program of study. University students matriculated in a degree program MUST be fingerprinted and have a background check conducted PRIOR to registering for their first course. A registration hold will be placed on your account until the fingerprinting and background check requirement is satisfied.

According to the state, fingerprinting may only be done at one of the six approved regional educational service centers (RESCs) that are authorized to conduct fingerprinting services and provide the backgroud check results to the Connecticut State Department of Education and local school districts.

Confirmation of fingerprinting at a RESC must be received by the Dean's office (Canisius 102) prior to course registration. Please allow several weeks for processing.

Download a list of the regional educational service centers (RESCs). More information on the state department of education's website may be found here.

University students who have a history of a federal or state conviction may be barred from participating in school-based field work and may be exited from their degree program, depending on the nature of the conviction.

The background check is valid for 3 years if the student remains an active student. It is the student's responsibility to maintain documentation of current fingerprinting on file with the dean's office. Students whose background check has expired will not be permitted to register for courses. Note, too, that school districts and other clinical sites may have more stringent requirements and may mandate a new background check prior to students beginning a placement.

Types of Admissions and Procedures

There are two types of admissions to GSEAP:

Formal admission

Non-matriculated status

Formal admission is necessary to pursue a complete degree or certification program.

Formal admission is necessary to pursue a complete degree or certification program. Those seeking formal admission to a degree program must submit the following documents to the Graduate Admissions Office located in the Kelley Administrative Center:

1. A completed online formal application along with a non-refundable application fee of $60.

2. All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts.

3. At least two recommendations. Suggested recommendations include your undergraduate or graduate professors; your major advisor; your work supervisor; or a professional in the field that you wish to study who knows you.

4. Applicants for all state certification programs must also:

Fulfill the Essential Skills requirement in mathematics, reading and writing by passing the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills Test or waiving this requirement with appropriate SAT, ACT, GRE or PAA scores. Your official ETS Score Report or your Praxis Core Waiver Letter from the Connecticut State Department of Education must be submitted. Praxis Core Information and Waiver Applications are available online. The Praxis Core waiver application is available from the Connecticut Department of Education (PDF) and Praxis registration and testing information is available from ETS.

Possess a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.67 (B-) or above. Waiving of this minimum GPA requirement is on a case by case basis by departmental approval. Minimum GPA Waiver Process Form

Pass an Admissions Interview

Non-matriculated option

Under our Non-Matriculated Status option, qualified students may begin studies before completing the formal application process or gaining admission to a degree or certification program. This option provides a wonderful opportunity for qualified students to explore degree options and to confirm personal goals and readiness for graduate study. Qualifications considered include a Bachelor's degree (required) and other qualifications related to your preparedness for graduate-level studies in the field of interest to you.

The non-matriculated application process is simple and involves the following steps:

Call the Dean's office at (203) 254-4250 to schedule an appointment or to be directed to the advisor for the program that interests you.

Obtain a copy (official or unofficial) of your undergraduate transcript that shows the undergraduate degree you have earned. You will need to bring this transcript with you to the University to be reviewed.

After you have met with the appropriate advisor and your non-matriculated status has been approved and processed by the Dean's office, you may check the date when non-matriculated students may begin registering and register on-line.

No recommendations are needed at this time. Recommendations and official transcripts are needed when you apply for full matriculation.

Non-matriculated status students may take a total of six credits in certification programs or nine credits in non-certification programs prior to formal matriculation. Courses will count toward degree or certification requirements with formal admission; however, successful completion of coursework does not automatically guarantee formal admission.

Maximum credits allowed before formal admission

The total number of credits earned before formal admission to a program (i.e., the total number of transfer credits plus any credits earned as a non-matriculated student) may not exceed 6 (six) credits for applicants to certification programs or 9 (nine) credits for applicants to non-certification programs.

Immunization requirements for fully matriculated students

Connecticut State law requires each full-time or matriculated student to provide proof of immunity or screening against the following:

Measles

Mumps

Rubella

Varicella (chicken pox)

Meningitis

Tuberculosis

Certain exemptions based on age and housing status apply. More detailed information and the required downloadable form is available at www.fairfield.edu/immunization.

Matriculating students are defined as those enrolled in a degree seeking program. Non-matriculated students do not need to complete the immunization requirement until they are fully admitted into a degree seeking program.

Course registration

Although this is not required to complete an application, you must provide proof of immunity/screening prior to course registration. You will not be allowed to register for classes if the immunization information is not on file with the Student Health Center. An immunization hold will be placed on your account until the requirement is met.

Completed forms should be submitted directly to the Student Health Center. Please consult your private health care provider to obtain the necessary immunizations. Questions may be directed to the Student Health Center: (203) 254-4000 ext. 2241 or e-mailed to Health@fairfield.edu